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Re: Evolution

Tunnel Spiders

The tunnel spiders are breaking into smaller packs and migrating SE toward more empty lands. The current populations of competitors driving the food supplies down.

The travel in great packs eating anything that get in their way. As they travel the land they begin to develop light sensitive organs allowing them greater sensitivity to their surroundings. They eventually settle at the edge of the forest and the plains on the eastern edge of the sea.

These large brownish arachnid like creatures have 2 large mantis like claws at the front and run at a high speed. Packs of these beast have been known to take down prey much larger than them selves.

This eight limbed hunter is communal and digs large familial burrows with many opening. Communicating with a mix of chitterings and phermones, they are largely a matriarchal society. Hunting packs will hunt and bring food back to the den for the young, which are normally protected by 1/4 of the population.

The spore towers reach skyward, growing up and parasitically using trees for support. These massive structures (multiple organisms joined together) funnel colony resources up through collective hyphae and disperse hundred of methane-sac spores during cool evening breezes.

The spore-sacs land en-masse throughout the forest, and even in other colonies (lateral gene transfer through hyphae fusion) to root and grow.

(with 2 points into reproduction many spores are released and many have a better chance to latch on and thrive....default is vegetative budding of colony edges, first point is the spore release mechanism, third point is a mass spore release mechanism for making new colonies.)

Re: Evolution

The Aephids begin to be tired of the Land Plague in the land, and their barren grounds are rather defenseless. It come with good-however, their offspring have developed some type of building material for a hive, and the quickly begin to feed their young wood-as it seems the more wood they have the more they produce. With this, the begin to make a hive all over the barren grounds and make a type of webbing on the trees, except for some, so they can be safer at night.

The others whom did not spawn a Spewer are out on the Hunt, burning any Landanemonies they see and bringing their corpses back-after burning the tree they were connected to.

Re: Evolution

As the Stirar stay safe from the various predators, well, mostly safe, they have developed a system of different shrieks that communicates to all members what they spy. If it's fruit, there is one sound, if they see predators, each predator has a different shriek and a different reaction.

All this can be considered the beginnings of what might one day, when their vocals chords and brains are better adapted, a sophisticated language.

Re: Evolution

Muro traveled largely unhindered, now that they could get away from almost any predator, and even had their spears, now to kill whatever attacked. Still they stayed out of reach. A new patch of skin on their necks grew, forming a reddish collar. Muro would rub their patches against another muro's patch, and with this touch would convey information from one to another, through the interweaving of nerves. The knowledge of their weapons and how to make them spread from one to another instantly. Any innovation was dispersed rapidly through the population like this. Tricks, weapons, tools, even things like observations on weather, the desire to mate, good spots for foraging, how to escape specific predators.

Current Projects:Crossroads: the New World: A pathfinder campaign setting about an alternate history of North America, where five empire collide in a magical land full of potential. On the road to publication!

The Aquahabito's grow fonder of being with each other. The way they communicate has somehow sharpened in the few of them that have been 'infected' by symbionts. Their brain seems to become sharper and the gatherings they have after bringing their dead to the burial grounds are held just a kilometer away.

Aquahabito's from different colonies start digging the sand, pushing rocks with their long necks to somewhat stabilize the structure. They then create tunnels layered with rocks that they find on the beach, smoothened by the rolling waves. Taking them in their mouths and bringing them underwater. With this construction going on, and with other Aquahabito's bringing aquamarine plants to grow them in the area, this is probably the largest concentration of Aquahabito's there has ever been.

This main 'hub' is where all Aquahabito's eventually meet. (100 pop) With the outlying four colonies (15 pop/each) bringing in food and coming to enjoy life with their peers.

This unusually high concentration of Aquahabito's has led animals with perceptive brains to flee the area. The enormous amount of information channeled between the collective brains of a hundred Aquahabito's, hitting an unsuspecting creature, often leads it to flee the area. That is, unless a creature has strong enough brainpower to take in the information, it will generally instinctively try to move away from the area of influence. Species that haven't got perceptive brains and have only primitive thinking are unaffected.

It also seems the Symbionts residing in the Aquahabito's are able to use their mental ability to communicate between each other on a different frequency.

Re: Evolution

((Oops. I just realized I miss-assigned some points two rounds ago. I put three points where I only needed one. I forgot to take them off again after I reworked my manipulative digits concept. Lemme re-fiddle.))

Muro are becoming quite intelligent. They're starting to understand just how useful their weapons and fingers are. Many began to trade their simple wooden spears for shards of the silvery-hard substance they find in the same shape. Light and strong, they make for good weapons, easily carried and very sharp. Some of the muro venture into the lake, swimming to the bottom to graze upon the water-plants. Occasionally, they come into contact with the aquahabito, their meme-patches picking up some of their conversation, periodically. Curious and confident, a few of the muro flocks follow the outlying bands of aquahabito to their hub.

Current Projects:Crossroads: the New World: A pathfinder campaign setting about an alternate history of North America, where five empire collide in a magical land full of potential. On the road to publication!

Re: Evolution

As the Nosslin roam the forest, mostly safe, they listen intently to the world around them. Soon enough they start to here something new, and in a way that they have never heard anything before, in most places it is but a quiet murmur, in some it is so loud that it almost block out all other sensation (they avoid those places for the most part), on the whole it is a useful ability, it gives them another way to hear danger coming, and it helps communicate better no that they can hear each other differently.

Population: 180
The Nosslin rely on their ability to out think there predators more than anything, but being able to see and hear them coming and being decent runners helps to. Nosslin tend to travel in mating pairs equally sharing the responsibility of caring for and protecting their young. Nosslin mate for life. The Nosslin now have gained the ability to smell, this helps them to find food, avoid predators, keep tabs on their young, and when they leave the parents find potential mate. The Nosslin are starting to learn basic tool use, as they use tools their paws become more useful for this end. They are slowly learning to hear others minds.

As the Muros go underwater and find the main hub of Aquahabito's, the creatures seem surprised and intrigued by their resilient minds. A large number of them would often gather around the Muros and send them questions in their own way of communication, received by the meme-patches. When it becomes apparent they cannot understand the language itself, peaceful Aquahabito's bring the newcomers some green lush plants that they cultivate in the deeper sea.

They also seem to undertake the effort of understanding the Muros's language. They seem to appreciate that creature overall and they often bring them nice greens, but often wait afterwards, as if to say they'd want something in return. In reality, after the first few gifts, the Aquahabito wanted to trade.

For the Muros, there is also something familiar about the Aquahabito's.

The muro rubbed meme-patches amongst each other, trying to come up with what these massive, shelled things wanted. Eventually, one of them got an idea, and spread it among the group. They swam back towards shore, and dug in, tunneling through the stone, bringing the water with them. Cooperating, they bored, and dug, and hollowed until a sizable sample of the silver-hard material was free. They widened one tunnel and brought it back out into the water, cooperating to bring a lump the size of a football before the aquahabito, setting it on the muddy bottom of the lake next to the larger pile of greens.

Current Projects:Crossroads: the New World: A pathfinder campaign setting about an alternate history of North America, where five empire collide in a magical land full of potential. On the road to publication!

Re: Evolution

The Aephids are beginning to grow into larger numbers, and in these numbers, different Family Languages erupt. However, this makes things difficult for chief Kl'ikt, trying to spread ideas. However, some of the new Offspring all begin speaking in one uniformed language and this languages spreads to the elders.

While the language is spreading, Spewers are beginning to make small honeycomb like openings in the wall, and next to each other. These rooms are big enough for just one Aephid, or two smaller ones. They use these rooms to hide from the cold nights and the winds.

Other Aephid hunters begin to realize the Stirar are too far away, and they find a new race to feed from, the Mollotoids.

Re: Evolution

The muro on the shore quickly realize the problem the red flower presents by putting that powder between them and their water, and begin to dig up the plants whenever they see them, carrying them into the air and dropping them on the widening barren area the other flocks had begun to notice, leaving them to die where they can do no harm, except maybe to the hard-shelled things that burn the trees and scorch the earth.

Meanwhile, other muro began to grasp new concept. Fire. Watching the drabbit's work and the shelled-thing's fire, they began to understand this strange, foreign power. The meme-patches spread the recognition of stones, that when struck together, would produce sparks. Fire followed quickly, alon with another discovery: The silver, when heated, could be shaped. Sharper spears, even small blades followed, making the gathering of food even easier, and offering superior protection.

Still elsewhere, the underwater muro begin to grasp the language of the shelled-things, though they lack the equipment to properly communicate back. The knowledge spreads back to the surface, and the other flocks start to look for similar patters in their other neighbors. Progress is swift, for through the meme-patches, they can instantly convey the entirety of their understanding to one-another.

Current Projects:Crossroads: the New World: A pathfinder campaign setting about an alternate history of North America, where five empire collide in a magical land full of potential. On the road to publication!

Population: 180
The Nosslin rely on their ability to out think there predators more than anything, but being able to see and hear them coming and being decent runners helps to. Nosslin tend to travel in mating pairs equally sharing the responsibility of caring for and protecting their young. Nosslin mate for life. The Nosslin now have gained the ability to smell, this helps them to find food, avoid predators, keep tabs on their young, and when they leave the parents find potential mate. The Nosslin are starting to learn basic tool use, as they use tools their paws become more useful for this end. They are slowly learning to hear others minds.

Re: Evolution

Worms have infested the supply of fruits. Some Stirar are completely turned off by this, but a few enterprising souls eat the fruit and worms together. They have better digestive systems that can handle the soft flesh of the worms. Soon all the Stirar are eating the worms and those that handle it the best thrive.

Re: Evolution

As the Aephids hunt down stray Mollotoids, some notice another species bringing flowers and plants into their Scorched Barrens. Those who find these small winged creatures immediately burn the plants and chase those who placed it down, spewing flames and slashing with their claws. Aephids

Re: Evolution

After the first few losses of 'droppers' the muro took to dripping the flowers from high in the air, out of reach of the flames and claws of their shelled foes, and if they somehow manage to get too close, the industrious muro use their sharpened metal spears to hold them off until they can escape.

Current Projects:Crossroads: the New World: A pathfinder campaign setting about an alternate history of North America, where five empire collide in a magical land full of potential. On the road to publication!

Re: Evolution

The Drabbits seem to become more aware of their environment and how to interact with it more intelligently. They start to develop the ability to memorize and pass on the knowledge of good and bad things. The catalyst of this development is probably the growth of explosive trees which has injured unsuspecting drabbits.

As well as this, the young drabbits disgestive system seems to have evolved. They are omnivorous and are able to proccess any food which leads to more fuel for their fire-breathing. Although essentially they are not evolving their fire-breathing capabilities the change in a more plentyful diet means the second lung fills up more quickly and the flame can be sustained for longer. (Didn't think I would need to put a point in fire-breathing as they are not actually developing that ability, but I'm not sure?)
Brain Development (+1)
Omnivorous (+1)

The Aquahabito's, having been around the Muro for a while now, have started to comprehend their language. It is difficult communicating to them in a way they understand, but it seems the two species are very close to understanding each other.

As the Muro's seem to communicate more. The Aquahabito's learn about the recent red plant and its powder. Several Aquahabito's concentrate on the information and understand the Muros are currently fixing this problem. To thank them, the Aquahabito bring some more lush green plants to the Muros on the beach. Large and long aquamarine plants that have been detached from the aquatic soil are floating near the coast where the Muros can see them. Already sickly Aquahabito's come to the shore and start burying the plants underground before going back to the sea.

The Aquahabito's in the main hub complete the planting of kelp and underwater foliage, and soon, great greens start growing everywhere around the main hub, shielding it from view. The Aquahabito's also seem to learn from their mistakes and start creating more and more complex underwater structures, now consolidating the underwater tunnels in the nest with pillars of stone.

Re: Evolution

Tunnel Spiders

Now in a more open range the Tunnel Spiders begin building new dens. Free of the previous constraints of their old basic dens they begin to dig in new ways. Finding the best places with dense rocky soils under lined with clay, construction is slow but their tunnels will be safer and built for long term living. They are better able to separate spaces by function and are beginning to use higher thought patterns. Multiple escape routes/entrances, water and food storage areas, sleeping areas, communal chambers for the pack and care for the young, their new dens are veritable mazes.

These large brownish arachnid like creatures have 2 large mantis like claws at the front and run at a high speed. Packs of these beast have been known to take down prey much larger than them selves.

This eight limbed hunter is communal and digs large familial burrows with many opening. Communicating with a mix of chitterings and phermones, they are largely a matriarchal society. Hunting packs will hunt and bring food back to the den for the young, which are normally protected by 1/4 of the population.

Re: Evolution

Rummaging through the brush for small, easy prey and delicious greens, packs of Mollotoids dot the landscape if one keeps an eye out for them. Their colors range from mottled tan to a almost-black brown, with orange flecks in their chitin. Small and oddly shaped, though tough, they occasionally throw themselves into an awkward though surprising lunge after potential food. The sight of captured prey is taxing to watch. They are adaptable to a multitude of conditions, including temperature extremes (due to an insulated exoskeleton) and drought.

Packs of Mollotoids have expressed interest in particular locations, making their home around certain flowers or prime hunting grounds. Small packs will share the same territory and rest together, often huddling together at night for warmth, tentacles intertwined. Hunting and foraging are group tasks. During mating season, they will produce rasping clicks by stridulating their tentacles. Hermaphroditic, each creature is able to produce offspring. Quite curious creatures, they will spend time exploring and investigating things.

The newest generations of Mollotoids, with some of their members under attack by the Aephids, have displayed an even tougher exoskeleton. The chitin is harder, thicker, and more insulating.

Spoiler

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Mollotoid

A brain (3 points, +2 above default) The Mollotoid is a social creature, hunting, foraging, and living in small packs of 12-32 members. They have a decent memory, too.
A basic head (1 point - default) Semi-spherical. Looks like a mushroom with teeth.
A basic neck (1 point - default) Short and stubby.
A basic torso (1 point - default) Round and ball-like.
Reproductive organs (2 points - +1 above default) Hermaphroditism, each creature is both male and female.
Heart, lungs digestive systm ect (3 point - +2 above default) Heartier and better able to maintain homeostatis. Have many means on which to survive on less water, such as uric acid excrement.
Cat-sized (1 point - default) Meow.
Semi-Omnivore (2 point - +1 above default) Mostly a meat-eater, but willing and able to eat softer plants.
Three tentacles (3 points) Provide rudimentary locomotion and a means to capture prey.Exoskeleton(3 points) Hard chitin covers its skin, providing significant protection and support. Hollow tubular construct makes it very strong and provides insulation from harmful temperatures.
Sight (2 points) Photo-sensitive cells in the chitin give the Mollotoid an acute vision.
Claws (1 point) Small but sharp spurs of chitin dot the underside of each tentacle. An embrace is now quite painful, and will likely cause very minor bleeding.

160 Mollotoids.

Looking like a crusty volleyball with teeth and three spined tentacles, the Mollotoid crawls and, occasionally when the need arrives, throws itself across the forest. When it comes across something it thinks it can consume, it does so, grappling it and biting it. When it comes across a suitable mate, mating occurs. It will give chase if it senses movement.

Re: Evolution

Tunnel Spiders

The tunnels spiders find that their water supplies having been corrupted begin tunneling new water courses from upriver. They dig tunnels under the water ways to points that are above the source of pollution (ie upriver in the mountains if possible) and begin digging for underground water supplies in subterrean rivers and aquifires. Thier vibrationsense is especially useful for this. Redirecting small amounts of water at first they are able to create underground pools and ponds that are safe from above ground corruption.

Each Den -
40 pop: 10 to guard den/breed/raise young, 2 packs of 10 each to hunt/gather water, 10 expand/improve den, 10 to tunnel for water

These large brownish arachnid like creatures have 2 large mantis like claws at the front and run at a high speed. Packs of these beast have been known to take down prey much larger than them selves.

This eight limbed hunter is communal and digs large familial burrows with many opening. Communicating with a mix of chitterings and phermones, they are largely a matriarchal society. Hunting packs will hunt and bring food back to the den for the young, which are normally protected by 1/4 of the population.

Re: Evolution

The Aephids see this tree as both a blessing and a curse, they cannot rid their land of this vile tree with fire-but they can with claws. They begin to chop down this tree and place it at the edge of the Scorched Barrens, to be used in defense, one Aephid for several enemies.

Meanwhile, some members of the species are beginning to talk of splitting into a smaller group, so the Aephids do not need to expand to largely. They also begin asking a simple question to each other, How?

The Stirar have begun to range further and further to find food, and some have even braved the plains right up to the south river's edge. Their legs have become stronger and while they tend to travel quadrepedally, occasionally they can be seen trying to walk bipedally. Population pressure forces a few to brave crossing the river and although even less of those make it, soon many Stirar are attempting the crossing. Many won't make it across, for they are poor swimmers, but enough should to establish a new colony in the forest to the south.